It didn't sound like we had much in common, people-wise. And in the interest of full-disclosure, since it was a different universe you didn't think to keep any secrets.
I didn't think you caused it— okay, I may have for a minute but then I met the double of a close friend, and then there was the giant cockroach, and then I started browsing through the network. Which is how I found you btw.
But you know about this kind of thing. You drew a diagram and everything, so I thought I'd contact you.
for the record? i'm not totally convinced i didn't cause this. but i appreciate the belated faith. what do you mean by the double of a close friend? doppelganger?
if doppelganger is the term you use for people with the same name and the same face but different backgrounds? he's not from your earth nor mine.
and no doppelganger that we know of, though it's possible there's a barry allen who has a normal job and we just haven't heard of him. and i didn't get specifics, but my alien friend with superpowers helped you get home somehow.
i have an alien friend with superpowers, she thinks you're cool.
yes to doppelganger being the term and i know you literally just typed that twice but did you just say your alien friend with superpowers? thinks i'm cool.
is that a thing where you're from? alien friends? because honestly the earth i'm from is pretty insane and i don't have any alien friends
[ Well. Not yet, apparently. ??????? ]
also sorry, does he know you know his doppelganger?
they're probably around, or maybe they haven't crashed yet. this one planet blew up and a couple of refugees crash-landed on earth, they keep their identities a secret.
Art Director for Catco media, which is probably not a thing in your universe. I started out as a photojournalist for The Daily Planet in Metropolis, got a rep as the kid who knew Superman.
[ That is all super weird, but it's at least marginally less weird than like... Turtle. So it could be worse, honestly. Barry still takes a thoughtful pause before responding, squinting at his device. ]
you're good, but talking in person is probably better. if you let me know where you're at i can try to get to you asap.
[ It only takes him two, which is still plenty long for him. Barry comes to a quick stop inside the coffee shop, entrance marked by a flicker of light and a short gust of wind. He's wearing his suit, but that's mostly just so he won't catch on fire; the hood's down, and he starts to drag off his gloves as he wanders over.
That means his hand's bare when he offers it for a formal, brief shake. Slightly less weird than leather gloves, hopefully. ]
Hey. James Olsen, right?
[ Looks... pretty friendly, honestly. Not that that means anything. The once-over Barry gives him is pretty obvious, but probably understandable given the strange circumstances. ]
[ James has the advantage of knowing what Barry looks like and also having seen him appear out of nowhere before. He smiles as he accepts the handshake.
This Barry seems way more stressed than the one he met back in National City, so no reason to add to it. ]
[ There's a thoughtful pause as he processes the comment, then he steps over to a pair of comfy chairs a few strides away. It's obvious he expects James to follow suit, though he gives a quiet nod of invitation as he takes a seat in one. ]
And you're the guy I'm... going to meet? [ His eyes narrow slightly on the last few words, but he looks more bemused than suspicious. ] You know, it might've been a different version of me.
It'd be too much of a coincidence, wouldn't it? Same guy, same name, same superpower? My experience is pretty limited, but I just figure it's more likely it's you than a different Barry Allen.
[ Also it'd be very annoying to not be jealous of two different Barry Allens. ]
[ James isn't wrong. Given everything going on back home, it makes sense that Barry would be working on his speed (when isn't he, honestly); and it isn't like timelines not matching up is a new concept.
He still takes a second to consider it, quiet, then he offers a chagrined look. ]
Yeah, definitely. Sorry I don't remember you— I know it's gotta be awkward. You said you're new to all this, right? The time travel and the...
[ A vague gesture towards the coffee shop, though the implied meaning is 'alternate dimensions'. Probably. ]
The time travel and parallel universes are new, but I've been working with superheroes since I was an intern. [ Somehow he finds this more stressed version of Barry a lot easier to not be angry at than the more carefree future guy he met. ] There's not much that throws me at this point.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ Kind of guessed that already, but the confirmation's good. ]
and you think i might've caused this. there weren't any other side effects, were there? when i jumped into your universe.
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But you know about this kind of thing. You drew a diagram and everything, so I thought I'd contact you.
1/2
[ Actually, no. That sounds right. ]
for the record? i'm not totally convinced i didn't cause this. but i appreciate the belated faith. what do you mean by the double of a close friend? doppelganger?
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earth 3?? did i have a doppelganger? or is that part of the not having a lot of things in common people-wise. did i just run home?
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and no doppelganger that we know of, though it's possible there's a barry allen who has a normal job and we just haven't heard of him. and i didn't get specifics, but my alien friend with superpowers helped you get home somehow.
i have an alien friend with superpowers, she thinks you're cool.
[WHICH IS AWFUL BUT WHATEVER!!11]
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is that a thing where you're from? alien friends? because honestly the earth i'm from is pretty insane and i don't have any alien friends
[ Well. Not yet, apparently. ??????? ]
also sorry, does he know you know his doppelganger?
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and he knows, i explained.
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actually really terrible
[ An entire planet. :( Way to harsh his buzz, Jimmy. ]
how'd that go?
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[ Also not the best timing, though — because some guy from another world showing up and saying he knows him? Been there, done that. Didn't end well. ]
start over, maybe? your name's james olsen. what do you do on earth-3?
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Also probably not a thing in your universe.
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When he found out he decided to use them to help people, much like you did.
... not the alien you met, though, you met Supergirl who's younger. They're cousins.
[ He sends that and a second text very shortly after. ]
Sorry man, that has got to be at least as weird to read as it was to write. We can meet up if you want to have a face to go with the crazy.
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you're good, but talking in person is probably better. if you let me know where you're at i can try to get to you asap.
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[ It only takes him two, which is still plenty long for him. Barry comes to a quick stop inside the coffee shop, entrance marked by a flicker of light and a short gust of wind. He's wearing his suit, but that's mostly just so he won't catch on fire; the hood's down, and he starts to drag off his gloves as he wanders over.
That means his hand's bare when he offers it for a formal, brief shake. Slightly less weird than leather gloves, hopefully. ]
Hey. James Olsen, right?
[ Looks... pretty friendly, honestly. Not that that means anything. The once-over Barry gives him is pretty obvious, but probably understandable given the strange circumstances. ]
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This Barry seems way more stressed than the one he met back in National City, so no reason to add to it. ]
Hi. You're definitely the guy I met.
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And you're the guy I'm... going to meet? [ His eyes narrow slightly on the last few words, but he looks more bemused than suspicious. ] You know, it might've been a different version of me.
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It'd be too much of a coincidence, wouldn't it? Same guy, same name, same superpower? My experience is pretty limited, but I just figure it's more likely it's you than a different Barry Allen.
[ Also it'd be very annoying to not be jealous of two different Barry Allens. ]
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He still takes a second to consider it, quiet, then he offers a chagrined look. ]
Yeah, definitely. Sorry I don't remember you— I know it's gotta be awkward. You said you're new to all this, right? The time travel and the...
[ A vague gesture towards the coffee shop, though the implied meaning is 'alternate dimensions'. Probably. ]
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Your superheroes have interns?
[ Kind of wondering what Cisco would say if he tried to call him his intern, tbh. ]
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